Improvement in boys  stilts



LEWIS A..KIMBERLY.

Improvement in Boys Stilts.

Patented Sep.12,1871.

Wilrzesses.

PATENT QFFICE.

LEWIS A. KIMBERLY, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN BOYS STILTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 118,861, dated September 12, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Lewis A. KIMBERLY, of the city and county of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, have invented an Improved Boys Stilt; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stilt constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the fastening-ring or clasp detached from the stilt; and Fig. 3 is an enlarged clasp, showing the means by which it is clamped to the stick.

Similar letters of reference in the accompanyin g drawing indicate the same parts.

My invention has for its object to improve the construction of boys stilts, whereby the same are made stronger and more durable than those now in the market, and the adjustment of the step facilitated and rendered more secure and certain. To this end the invention consists: First, in the method of securing the clasps to the step; and, secondly, in the means for fastening the ends of the clasps together and adjusting them upon the stilts, as I will now proceed to describe.

In the accompanying drawing, A is the step, and B the stick, which may be made square, cylindrieal, or of any other desired form. The inner edge of the step is grooved to conform to the shape of the stick and faced with a strip of metal, C, of corresponding form, having its ends bent over the upper and lower corners of the step, as shown at cl d, and secured in place by screws or nails. F are the clasps, composed of metal, and which, in this example of my invention, are made in the form of divided rings with their ends overlapping each other on the outside of the stick. The clasps are secured to the grooved edge of the step, near the top and bottom thereof, by the strip C under which they are placed, and by screws or nails f f, which pass through the strip into the wood of the step above and below each clasp, as shown by dotted lines, Fig. 1. The screws f f also aflord additional means for securing the strip to the step. The clasps may be made either separate from the strip or secured to the same by welding, or by any other suitable means, as preferred. By this method of attachment the clasps are held securely to the step against the possibility of being torn or broken ofi, even under the roughest treatment. The outer end 9 of each clasp is formed with a shoulder, h, against which the inner end z bears, and the latter is provided with an exterior stud, j, adapted to enter a notch, 70, formed in the outer end, as shown in Fig. 2. L is a button or thumb-piece, swiveled within the inner end i of the clasp, and provided with a cam, m, bearing against the end of an enlarged opening, a, formed in the outer edge g. By turning the button a short distance either to the right or left the cam expands or contracts the ring, as will be readily understood, the two ends being guided in their movements by the stud j and notch k. The shoulder h adapts the two overlapping ends to fit together, so that the inner circumference of the clasps shall be uniform and bear equally upon the stick.

By my improved clasps the step can be readily adjusted to any position upon the stick, and held firmly and securely in place when so adjusted.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The metallic strip C, in combination with the adjustable claspsE,substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

2. The clasps E, constructed with overlapping ends to receive the cam-buttons L, whereby said clasps are adjusted and held at any desired point upon the stick, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

3. In combination with the step A and stick B, the fastening-strip C, and adjustable clasps E, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

LEWIS A. KIMBERLY.

Witnesses:

BENJ. E. BEEOHER, W. S. HINE. 

